Strap attachment system for orthopedic device

ABSTRACT

A strap attachment system includes a frame member having an opening, a strap, and a tab having a body and an attachment element defined by the body. The tab connects to the strap. A fastener element connects to the tab and is detachably and slidably mountable to the frame member by the opening.

FIELD OF ART

The embodiments of this disclosure are directed to strap attachment systems for an orthopedic device or other devices requiring a strap.

BACKGROUND

Braces and supports, such as knee braces, have a tendency to migrate on the limbs of the user during use. There are various reasons for this migration, including, but not limited to, improper fitting and poor anchoring of the brace to the user. Two common methods are used to counter this migration, namely strapping and using high friction interfaces.

Skin irritation may arise due to mechanical irritation between the frictional interface and the skin due to excessive rubbing. Skin irritation may be caused by excessive shear forces applied from a high friction interface material that moves on skin due to non-anatomical movement of the brace relative to the user's limb. Elimination of the frictional material or the creation of a barrier between the skin and frictional material will reduce skin irritation.

For those users that experience skin irritation, a softer liner or sleeve with less friction against the skin, for example, doeskin, textile, foam, etc., can replace or be used in combination with a high friction interface. With the reduction of friction, however, there is a tendency that the liner leads to increased migration. For these users, therefore, strapping may be the only option to avoid migration.

Conventional methods for attaching straps to braces rarely permit pivoting of the strap. Instead, the strap is fixed in location and may resist movement of the user's limb and create discomfort. Failing to pivot according to the user's movement also creates problems with conformation to user anatomy and fit.

Pressure points may arise due to the bunching of straps over certain regions of a user's anatomy, for example, over the user's popliteal, and of exposed portions of hard shell or frame members of the brace. Often braces lack the flexibility to allow a clinician or user to reposition the anchor of a strap over the hard shell or frame member to avoid pressure points. Also, as when repositioning the strap, the clinician or user needs the ability to position the strap anchor to avoid migration.

SUMMARY

Various strap attachment system embodiments described in this disclosure are provided for eliminating or reducing frictional interfaces that may lead to skin irritation. The embodiments are arranged for preventing bunching and eliminating pressure points due to exposed portions of the frame of a brace or support. The embodiments permit pivoting and adjustment relative to the anatomy of the user. The embodiments are adjustable in locations on the frame of the brace or support, allowing flexibility for the clinician or user to position strap attachment system in locations that will assist in prevention of migration and pressure points.

In addressing migration, the strap attachment systems supplant or complement friction interfaces. The strap attachment systems preferably eliminate a need for tools, and serve as an anchor point with or without a friction interface. The strap attachment systems may also be used in combination with various pads having little or no friction interface.

An embodiment of the strap attachment system includes a frame member having an opening, a strap, a tab having a body and a fastener element. The fastener element is detachably and slidably mountable to the frame member via the opening. The tab may define an attachment element with which the fastener element removably engages to secure the tab to the frame member. The tab may rotatably connect to the fastener element.

The fastener element preferably defines upper and lower portions. The lower portion is arranged to abut a first surface of the frame member, and the upper portion is arranged to extend over a second surface of the frame member by a clearance. The tab may secure between the upper portion and the second surface of the frame member within the clearance.

The shaft of the fastener element preferably has portions defining a dimension resisting turning within the opening of frame member such that upon overcoming resistance within the opening, the shaft has a dimension generally the same as a width of the opening so as to permit sliding of the fastener element within the opening without rotation. According to a variation, the shaft defines a generally square cross-section having rounded corners. The rounded corners generally provide for resistance to twisting against a periphery of the frame member defining the at least one opening.

Another embodiment of a strap attachment system includes a frame member having an opening, a strap and a tab having a body and a fastener element extending from the body and arranged to be engaged to the frame member via the opening. The tab is slidably movable relative to the frame member within the opening.

The fastener element includes a shaft carrying a cross-head, the shaft having a height at the least the same as a thickness of the frame member. The cross-head may define a first width substantially the same as a second width defined by the opening. The cross-head may have a first length greater than the second width defined by the opening. The first width of the cross-head may be less than the second length defined by the opening, where the difference in length between the first width and the second length define a length of travel of the tab relative to the frame member within the opening.

The shaft may define first and second side walls opposed from one another and spaced apart by a third width. The third width may be substantially the same as the second width of the opening. The first and second side walls may be arranged perpendicular to a first length of the cross-head. The shaft may define first and second end portions opposed from one another and be arranged generally perpendicular to the side first and second side walls.

A distance between the first and second end portions may be greater than a second width defined by the opening. The shaft may be insertable through the opening wherein the first and second side walls are arranged perpendicular to the second width. The at least one frame member may be resilient as the shaft is pressed through the opening, and the shaft is arranged for rotation within the opening so as to arrange the first and second side walls parallel to the second width.

The dimensional relationships of the shaft and cross-pin, and the opening may be interchangeably used for any of the embodiments described herein.

The tab body may be substantially flat and the shaft may extend perpendicularly from a first end of the body. The body may define a second end flaring outwardly from the first end of the body, and the cross-head extends generally parallel to the second end of the body.

The body of the tab may taper toward a first end tip where the fastener element may be located, and the body may flare outwardly toward a second end where the strap attaches to the tab. The tab may define a plurality of opening that secure to securing elements connecting the tab to the strap.

A method includes attaching a strap connected to a tab to a frame member having an opening using certain embodiments described herein. The method includes arranging a fastener element having a shaft carrying a cross-head in the opening by orienting a width of the cross-head parallel to a length of the opening. The cross-head may be inserted through the opening so as extend over a surface of the frame member. The fastener element may be turned so the width of the cross-head is perpendicular to the opening with the shaft extending through the opening. The fastener element connects the strap to the frame member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood regarding the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an embodiment of a tab of an embodiment of a strap attachment system.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the tab of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic, sectional view of the tab of FIG. 1 on a frontal side of a frame member of an orthopedic device.

FIG. 4 is a schematic, sectional view of the tab of FIG. 1 on a rear side of a frame member of an orthopedic device.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of another embodiment of a strap attachment system on a frame member.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the tab of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the strap attachment system of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a single body fastener element for use in combination with the strap attachment system of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the single body fastener element of FIG. 8 taken along line IX-IX.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a strap including the tabs of FIGS. 1 and 6.

FIG. 11A is a schematic front view of the tab of FIG. 10.

FIG. 11B is a schematic side view of the tab of FIG. 10.

FIG. 11C is a schematic plan view of the tab of FIG. 10.

FIG. 11D is a schematic view of the tab of FIG. 11C showing removal of a strap end from the tab.

FIG. 12 is a detailed frontal view of the strap of FIG. 10 having the tab of FIG. 5.

FIG. 13 is a detailed rear view of the strap of FIG. 10 having the tab of FIG. 5.

In the various figures, similar elements are provided with similar reference numbers. The drawing figures are not drawn to scale, or proportion, but instead are drawn to provide a better understanding of the components, and are not intended to be limiting in scope, but rather provide exemplary illustrations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the strap attachment system embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, a tab 10 has a tab body 12 and a fastener element including a shaft 16 and a cross-head 14 extending from the shaft 16. The tab body 12 has a generally flat configuration and includes a plurality of apertures 18 having a recessed border 20. The apertures are adapted for receiving and securing elements 90, such as cables, threads, or other means, for securing the tab body 12 to a strap 80. The tab body 12 defines a generally triangular configuration having a greatest width at a tail end corresponding to the apertures 18, and tapering toward a tip 24 carrying the cross-head 14.

The cross-head 14 defines first and second flanges 15, 17 extending beyond the shaft 16. The shaft has flat side walls 22 that extend generally perpendicular to the flanges 15, 17. The flat side walls 22 permit insertion into openings formed on frame members. The side walls 22 are not limited to being flat, but may have a curved profile, slanted profile or other suitable shape.

As depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4, a frame member 26 defines a plurality of openings 28 into which the shaft 16 slides. The cross-head 14 is arranged obliquely or perpendicularly to the openings 28, permitting sliding of the tab 10 relative along a length L₂ of the openings to the frame member 26, and some pivoting relative to the frame member 26 without detaching from the frame member. The flanges 15, 17 are arranged flush to a surface of the frame member, and retain the tab 10 to frame member.

Referring to the embodiments of FIGS. 1-4, the cross-head 14 has a width W₁ less than a width W₂ of the openings 28 enabling the cross-head 14 to be inserted within one of the openings. In a variation, the width W₁ the same or greater than a width W₂ of the openings 28 enabling the cross-head 14 to snap into or through one of the openings 28. The ends of the flanges 15, 17 may have a taper 23 on opposed sides to facilitate snapping and insertion into the opening 28.

The cross-head 14 has a length L₁ is greater than the width W₂ of the opening 28 so the cross-head 14 is retained by the frame member 28 and slidably mounted thereto after cross-head 14 is inserted into the opening with the width W₁ generally parallel to the length of the opening and after being generally rotated 90 degrees so the width W₁ is generally perpendicular to the width W₂. The length L₂ is desirably longer than the width W₁ so as to allow for travel of the cross-head relative to the opening.

The shaft 16 preferably has a height H₁ slightly greater than a thickness T₂ of the frame member 26 (as depicted in FIG. 5) so at least the cross-head 14 is snugly engaging a surface of the frame member 26 to provide a tight fit but permitting slidable motion. The flanges 15, 17 have a thickness T₁ to sufficiently hold the tab 10 against the surface of the frame member 26 without deflection. Of course, the height H₁ is not limited to such a configuration and may be sized longer than the thickness of the frame member.

In a variation of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, the cross-section of the height 16 may be arranged so as to permit locking within the opening. For example, end portions 19 of the shaft 16 may be curved and the side walls 22 may be straight. There may be some temporary deformation of the frame member 26 about the opening 28 while inserting the cross-head 14 into the opening along its width W₁ parallel to the width W₂ of the opening 28 since a distance D between the end portions 19 may be greater than the width W₂. When the cross-head is rotated 90 degrees relative to the length L₂ of the opening after inserting the cross-head 14 through the opening 28, the side walls 22 are generally flush with the periphery of the opening 28 since the width W₄ between the sidewalls 22 is generally the same as the W₂ of the opening 28. Alternatively, the distance D may be identical to the width W₂.

The width W₁ of the cross-head 14 is less than the length L₁. The difference in length between the width W₁ and the length L₁ defines a length of travel of the tab 10 relative to the frame member 26 within the at least one opening 28.

The embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 allows for a strap to be secured to a frame member having a plurality of openings, and among any number of the openings. The strap can therefore be located at any number of locations, and any number of straps may be attached to the frame member to provide better security of the brace or support on the user.

The openings are configured and dimensioned to allow for the cross-head to insert therethrough when the cross-head is aligned with the openings. Once the cross-head is passed through one of the openings, the tab is rotated so the cross-head is generally perpendicular to the corresponding opening. The shape of the shaft permits the tab body to slide relative to the frame member.

The embodiments of FIGS. 5-9 describe a fastener element defining upper and lower portions. The lower portion is arranged to abut a lower surface 29 of the frame member 26, and the upper portion is arranged to substantially extend over an upper surface 31 of the frame member 26 by a clearance 33. The tab may secure between the upper portion and the second surface of the frame member within the distance defined by the clearance 33.

Turning to the strap attachment system embodiment 30 of FIGS. 5-7, a fastener element 32 in the form of a multi-body fastener element secures a keyhole tab 34 to the frame member 26. This embodiment is useful for when the frame member defines an opening 28 having a circular configuration, although it can likewise be used in an embodiment having openings, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

The multi-body fastener element 32 defines a head portion 36 and a base element 38 having a snap shaft 40 extended into an opening 44 of the head portion 36. The snap shaft 40 defines a channel 45 located between opposed elongate prongs 47 dimensioned and configured to extend through the opening 28 of the frame member and the opening 44 of the head portion 36. Each of the prongs 47 has a semi-conical end 49, together forming a head 42, adapted to engage a recessed rim 43 bordering the opening 44 of the head portion 36, with the prongs 47 biased outwardly relative to the rim 43 so as form a snap fit therewith.

The head portion 36 defines an outer circular flange 46 arranged to be placed adjacent to a surface of the keyhole tab 34. The head portion 36 has a lower end portion 48 having a height generally corresponding to a thickness of the keyhole tab 34.

The keyhole tab 34 forms a main opening 50 and a slot 52 bordering and open to the main opening 50. The slot 52 has a diameter smaller than the main opening 50. The keyhole tab 34 forms a tip 54 and a widened tail section 56 along which apertures 18 having recesses 20 arranged similarly to the tab 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2.

The slot 52 generally has a diameter similar to the lower end portion 48 of the head portion 36 so the head portion 36 engages the keyhole tab 34 about the periphery of the slot 52. The main opening 50 is sized and configured to permit insertion of the head portion 36 through the main opening 50; the height of the lower end portion 48 extends to a height so the outer circular flange 46 is flush against the keyhole tab 34. It follows when head portion 36 clears the keyhole tab when inserted through the main opening, the strap 80 can be pulled a distance A corresponding to the length L between the axis of the main opening and the slot, so the multi-body fastener element retains the keyhole tab to the frame member.

FIG. 7 exemplifies how the keyhole tab can rotate R relative to the frame member, and slide a distance D relative to the frame member via the opening 28.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show an alternate embodiment of a single body fastener element 60. The fastener element 60 defines a head portion 62 with an overhanging flange 70 and a flat top surface 72, a circular flange 64 concentric with the head portion 62, a shaft 66 and a cross-pin 68.

The shaft 66 is not necessarily circular, and instead defines a square cross-section 74 having rounded corners 76. The rounded corners 76 provide for resistance to twisting when secured to the openings of the frame member, and once fitted to the frame member, resists further rotation so the fastener element 60 does not fall out from the opening via the cross-pin 68 aligning with the opening.

FIG. 10 exemplifies the keyhole tab 34 secured to a first end of a strap 80 and a tab 92 carrying a fastener element 96 secures to a second end 94 of a strap 80. The tab 92 is removably secured to the second end 94 of the strap 80 which may be trimmed to size according to a desired strap length.

As depicted in FIGS. 11A-11D, at least one flap 88, 89 depends from an end of the tab 92 and removably secures to the second end 94 of the strap 80. The at least one flap preferably includes a pair of flaps 88, 89 with hook elements 104 along an underside of the flaps that clamp to the second end 94 of the strap 80 and engage hook-receivable material located on or forming the strap 80. An outer surface of the flaps may preferably comprise a soft and/or hook-receivable material.

The flaps 88, 89 are removable from the strap 80 so the strap can be trimmed to an appropriate length, and the flaps 88, 89 may be stitched or otherwise secured 102 to the tab 92. The second end 94 preferably abuts an end of the tab, and the end of the tab is formed with preferably a straight edge to match a straight edge formed by second end 94 of the strap.

The fastener element 96 may be similarly formed to the fastener element of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, and includes flanges 98, 99 forming a cross-head and extend from an end of a shaft 100. The fastener element 96 is preferably integrally formed with a body of the tab and the shaft forms part or and protrude perpendicularly from a tip of the tab.

The keyhole tab 34 may be similarly secured to the strap and may be modified to include at least one flap that removably secures to the strap.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, the strap 80 may have a grip extension 82 extended over a surface of the keyhole tab 34. The extension 82 has an opening 84 arranged to allow for fingers to grip the strap without grabbing the keyhole tab 34 of FIG. 6. The keyhole tab may be stitched to the strap so the keyhole tab can pivot relative to the strap, and the grip extension moves freely relative to the keyhole tab. The grip extension 82 is arranged to cover the tab so as to minimize any exposure to edges of the tab.

The dimensional relationships among the fastener element and the opening may be adopted in any of the embodiments described herein, for example the dimensions of the cross-head in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 can be extended to any of the embodiments described herein including the cross-head. The frame member is described generically herein and the frame member in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 may be used with any of the embodiments described herein. An example of useable frame members is found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,198,610, granted Apr. 3, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.

Not necessarily all such objects or advantages may be achieved under any embodiment of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be embodied or carried out to achieve or optimize one advantage or group of advantages as taught without achieving other objects or advantages as taught or suggested.

The skilled artisan will recognize the interchangeability of various components from different embodiments described herein. Besides the variations described herein, other known equivalents for each feature can be mixed and matched by one of ordinary skill in this art to construct a strap attachment system under principles of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments described herein may be adapted to braces and supports for securing, supporting or comforting limbs or other anatomy.

Although this invention has been disclosed in certain preferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention extends beyond the disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. It is intended that the scope of the present invention herein disclosed should not be limited by the disclosed embodiments described above, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that follow. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A strap assembly, comprising: an elongate strap having first and second ends; a first tab secured to the first end of the strap defining a main opening; a second tab secured to the second end of the strap having a cross-head extending from a tab body; wherein the first tab further defines a slot bordering and open to the main opening; wherein the slot has a smaller diameter than the main opening.
 2. The strap assembly of claim 1, wherein the first tab forms a tip and a widened tail section.
 3. The strap assembly of claim 2, wherein the slot is more proximate to the tip than the main opening.
 4. The strap assembly of claim 2, wherein the widened tail section defines a plurality of apertures arranged for receiving securing elements connecting the first tab to the strap.
 5. The strap assembly of claim 1, wherein the cross-head defines first and second flanges extending beyond a shaft connecting the cross-head to the main body.
 6. The strap assembly of claim 5, wherein the shaft has flat side walls extending generally perpendicular to the first and second flanges.
 7. A strap assembly, comprising: an elongate strap having first and second ends; a first tab secured to the first end of the strap defining a main opening; a second tab secured to the second end of the strap having a cross-head extending from a tab body; wherein at least one flap depends from an end of the first tab and removably secures to the first end of the strap.
 8. The strap assembly of claim 7, wherein the at least one flap includes a pair of flaps with hook elements along an underside of the flaps that clamp to the first end of the strap.
 9. A strap assembly, comprising: an elongate strap having first and second ends; a first tab secured to the first end of the strap defining a main opening; a second tab secured to the second end of the strap having a cross-head extending from a tab body; further comprising a grip extension extending over a surface of the first tab, the grip extension having an opening.
 10. The strap assembly of claim 9, wherein grip extension is pivotable relative to the strap and first tab. 